Gilbert-Northwestern homecoming victory, 32-16

WINSTED — The Gilbert-Northwestern Yellowjackets seized a hard-fought 32-16 homecoming game victory over the Old Saybrook-Westbrook Rams on Saturday, Oct. 10. Gilbert-Northwestern keeps their strong early season momentum alive with a big morale win over the Rams.

This being the Yellowjackets’ first home game of the season, it was quite a showing upon the cool, windy hills of Van Why Memorial field. Gilbert-Northwestern used the momentum from a large crowd, the resonance of the Gilbert marching band and an active cheer squad to empower them to keep their season success moving forward.

Gilbert-Northwestern carried the kickoff to their own 35-yard line then began to work at breaking through a solid Ram defensive line. Yellowjacket quarterback Bobby Lippincott kept play alive on a third-and-9 situation with a good pass to Ross Lopardo for the first down.

Old Saybrook-Westbook looked to be shutting down the Yellowjacket running game until Lippincott took a long quarterback sneak along the sidelines and battled for another Gilbert-Northwestern first down.

Now within striking distance, the Yellowjackets capitalized on a strong first drive with a touchdown carry by Yellowjacket Devin Morgan. Gilbert-Northwestern’s J.P. Dulac tallied the extra point to give the Yellowjackets a 7-0 early lead.

The Yellowjacket defensive line began to swarm the Rams on their first drive of the game. Yellowjackets Lippincott and Kyle Jones offered some big tackles and defensive plays that derailed all of Old Saybrook-Westbrook’s early offensive chances.

Gilbert-Northwestern started the second quarter with possession after a bit of a stalemate on their last few drives. Lippincott broke through with a big drive that put the Jackets at first-and-goal. Lopardo nabbed another pass from Lippincott, bringing Gilbert-Northwestern to the 2-yard line. Yellowjacket Devin Morgan broke through for his second touchdown carry of the game. Another good kick from Dulac extended the lead to 14-0.

Jones and Lippincott continued to generate misery for Old Saybrook-Westbrook’s offensive lines, shutting down any degree of production the Rams tried to muster. Gilbert-Northwestern carried their 14-0 lead into the halftime break.

The Rams came out of the break looking for blood and touchdowns. After quickly and efficiently dispersing all of the Yellowjackets’ third-quarter offense, the Rams found a hole and scored their first touchdown of the game, adding a two-point conversion to cut the lead to 14-8.

Things became particularly ugly for Gilbert-Northwestern when senior Delany Morgan sustained a neck injury and was taken from Van Why Field in an ambulance.

Morgan’s injury was not only undoubtedly frightening for spectators and teammates alike, but troublesome news for the Gilbert-Northwestern squad, who were now without one of their best offensive players.

Perhaps it was seeing one of their own in blue and yellow injured and carried away or a rally sparked by head coach Scott Salius — but regardless of the source, momentum took a dramatic shift back to the Yellowjackets when Lippincott picked off a bad toss and carried in another Gilbert-Northwestern touchdown. The Yellowjackets added a two-point conversion to bring their lead to 22-8.

A quick interception gave Gilbert-Northwestern the opportunity to increase their lead on another solid drive, bringing the score to 29-8.

Devin Morgan, Lopardo, and Lippincott continued to keep pressure high through the fourth, battling downfield to put Dulac in position to cap off the Yellowjacket scoring with a successful field goal.

Gilbert-Northwestern put on a colossal showing and extended their season record to 3-1. Gilbert-Northwestern has their next home game under the lights on Friday, Oct. 16, when they will face Avon at 7 p.m.